This multi-talented pianist-arranger-conductor-songwriter-teacher has made a living in music for most of his life. After receiving the gift of an accordion from his father at the age of 10, Curtis proceeded to learn the keyboard and went on to form the 30-member Rainbow Accordion Band, which performed locally at the Norfolk Armory. Drafted into the Army after graduation from Norview High School, he packed up his tuba in his kit bag and played in the Army Band for the duration of his enlistment.

Since his honorable discharge from the Army, Curtis has been a staple on the Norfolk music scene for more than 50 years, performing as a solo pianist at both public and private events. He was the house pianist at the Omni International Hotel (now the Sheraton) during the 1980s, and has conducted for and performed with visiting artists at Chrysler Hall and other local venues. Thousands of Tidewater couples danced to the music of the Pat Curtis Orchestra on summer evenings at the old Moonraker in Virginia Beach and other venues. Among his former piano students is 2002 Legends honoree Bruce Hornsby.

Curtis even has a short-lived Broadway show on his resume. In 1978, he wrote the music to the off-Broadway musical "Jimmy and Billy," about 39th U. S. President Jimmy Carter and his brother.

In 2006, Curtis was honored by his own Local 125 of the American Federation of Musicians when he was given the Arts Support of the Year Award. And in November 2006, Mayor Paul D. Fraim presented Curtis the first-ever Legends of Music Walk of Fame Lifetime Achievement Award for sharing his musical talents with thousands of people and countless charitable groups and organizations for more than sixty years.